Portable warm or cool air for footwear or wherever needed system

ABSTRACT

A portable footwear air conditioning system allows a person to cool or warm their feet or another portion of their body. The system is removable can be transferred from one article of clothing to another. An air conditioning device forces air warmed or cooled, through a tube into a shoe. The air conditioning device utilizes a heat exchanger, fan or the like to alter the temperature of the air.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparel systems, and morespecifically, to systems for cooling or heating footwear or otherclothing items.

2. Description of Related Art

Footwear is well known in the art and are effective means to protect oraugment the feet of a person. For example, a conventional shoe havingspace enclosed by and upper and a sole where a foot fits in the spaceand the sole protects the bottom of the foot from harm or ware. Feetemit heat and moisture and in the confined space of the shoe this isincreased resulting in odor, infection and discomfort. Yet, others,suffer from reduced circulation and discomfort from the associated lossof heat to the area.

Common efforts to improve the comfort and sanitation of shoes includeventilation holes, thinner materials and so on. In these cases, thecooling of the space is passive and depends on the outside environment.Additionally, the space and foot are susceptible to other liquids suchas water entering through the holes or material.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area offootwear systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable footwear air conditioningsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3; is a cross-sectional front view of an alternative embodiment ofthe air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the preferred method of use of the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the airconditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the airconditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the airconditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8. is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the tubes of FIG.1.

While the system and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might becomplex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional footwear systems. Specifically, theinvention of the present application enables active cooling or warmingof the space of a shoe. This and other unique features of the system andmethod of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1depicts a prospective view of a portable footwear air conditioningsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentapplication. It will be appreciated that system 101 overcomes one ormore of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventionalfootwear systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 101 includes a shoe 103 with anair-conditioning device 105 attached over the arch 107 thereof. The airconditioning device 105 having tubes 109 that channel air to theinterior space 111 of the shoe 103.

The air conditioning device 105, as depicted in FIG. 2, having a housing205 enclosing a heat exchanger 203 configured to remove or add heat tothe air flow passing through the tube 109 and out thereof as depicted bymotion A. The housing 205 having connection devices 207 attached theretoconfigured to connect the housing 205 to a shoe 103. The housing 205having controls 209 thereon contemplated to activate or adjust theperformance of the heat exchanger 203. The housing it contemplated torestrict the movement if any fluid foreign to the function of the heatexchanger 203.

It will be understood that the controls could function as a timer toalternate the activity of the air conditioner, a flow director or thelike.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believedcharacteristic of the present application is that the air conditioningdevice 105 is able to be attached to any shoe 103. It will also beappreciated that the heat exchanger 203 enables both warm and cool airto be introduced to the shoe 103.

In an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device 105, theheat exchanger 203 is replaced with a fan 303 and depicted by FIG. 3.Embodiment 301 also including an intake vent 305 in the housing 307. Itis also contemplated that multiple fans 303 with their respective intakevents 305 and tubes 109 could be used to increase the air flow to theshoe 103. It is further contemplated that with multiple fans, a firstcould be configured to cool and a second to heat. It will then beappreciated that a second tube could be used to cycle air from the spaceof the shoe to the fan or heat exchanger.

It will be understood that the system 101 could be operated bybatteries, including single use, rechargeable, lithium, acid or any typeof battery; solar cells, ac adaptor or any other power source. It isfurther contemplated that the rotation of the fans or any other movingpiece could be used to recharge batteries. In addition, it iscontemplated that the system can include a sound dampener, vibrationdampener, and a USB charging port.

Referring now to FIG. 4 the preferred method of use of the system 101 isdepicted. Method 401 including attaching the air conditioning device toa shoe 403, placing the tube in the shoe 405, selecting warming orcooling 407, activating the air conditioning device 409 and allowing theair conditioning device to supply air to the interior of the shoe 411.

Various embodiments of the air conditioning device 105 are contemplatedincluding features to augment the function thereof such as having clipsand loops 503 through which the laces or a strap of a shoe pass tosecure the embodiment 501 thereto or having a reflective material 603attached to the housing 203 of embodiment 601 as depicted by FIGS. 5 and6 respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment of the airconditioning device 105 is depicted. Embodiment 701 including similarfeatures as device 201 with the addition of a space 703 in housing 705to hold a component 707. It is contemplated that the component could bean ionizer, step counter, wireless communicator, thermostat or the like.

Embodiment 801 include a face mask 803 with a strap 805 to which airconditioning device 105 is attached. The flow of air from the device 105having a filter 807 there on to eliminate fumes or other contaminantsfrom being delivered to the interior of the mask 803.

It will now be appreciated that any length of tube 109 could be used andthat, as depicted by FIG. 9, tubes 903 and 905 could be joined bycoupler 907.

It is further contemplated that the air conditioning device could beattached to other types of clothing such as hats, shirts, pants and thelike. It will be appreciated that the connection device could beconfigured to attach to any type of clothing.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed;:
 1. A portable footwear air conditioning systemcomprising: at least one air conditioning device removably attached to ashoe; the air conditioning device including at least one heat exchangerwithin a housing; wherein at least one tube transferring a fluid fromthe air conditioning device to the shoe;
 2. The system of claim 1wherein the air introduced to the shoe is warmed prior to entry.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the air introduced to the shoe is cooled priorto entry.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger of the airconditioning device is replaced with at least one fan.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the shoe is replaced with another article of clothing.6. The system of claim 1 wherein the air conditioning device includes ahousing.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein clips and loops are attachedto the housing and configured to allow laces or straps to passtherethrough.
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein a reflective material isattached to the housing.
 9. The method of altering the state of theinterior of a shoe given the system of claim 1, comprising: attachingthe air conditioning device to a shoe; placing the tube in the shoe;selecting warming or cooling; activating the air conditioning device;and allowing the air conditioning device to supply air to the interiorof the shoe.
 10. A portable face mask air conditioning systemcomprising: at least one air conditioning device removably attached to astrap or a face mask; the air conditioning device including at least oneheat exchanger within a housing; wherein at least one tube transferringa fluid from the air conditioning device to the face mask;
 11. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein the air introduced to the face mask is warmedprior to entry.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the air introduced tothe face mask is cooled prior to entry.
 13. The system of claim 10wherein the heat exchanger of the air conditioning device is replacedwith at least one fan.
 14. The system of claim 10 wherein the airintroduced to the face mask is filtered prior to entry.
 15. The systemsof claims 1 and 10 wherein a component is attached thereto andconfigured to enhance the system thereof.